PROVINCE ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL BSE SUPPORT

The Government of Saskatchewan has announced $1.8 million in provincial support for producers of other ruminants, including sheep, goats, elk, deer and bison, who have been impacted by BSE.

"We recognize that the whole of Saskatchewan's ruminant livestock industry has been affected by the ongoing border closure," Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman said. "Therefore, we are announcing this program for producers of other ruminants, and we are doing it in advance of the national program. We have consulted with the producer associations concerned, and they have told us clearly that they need this support now."

As part of the national strategy for repositioning the livestock industry, the province has committed $40 million to support Saskatchewan's producers, including producers of ruminant livestock other than cattle.

"Other ruminant producers need this funding to preserve a core inventory of animals and ensure supply for marketing initiatives, and we are pleased to provide this program to help address that need," Wartman said.

"While we are following the national proposal in terms of the program details, we are not waiting for the federal government to announce their participation," Wartman said. "Once the federal government confirms its participation in the other ruminant program, their share of the program payments will follow."

The program will apply to 80 per cent of eligible animals on-farm as of September 1st, 2004, as follows:

• Sheep and goats: breeding females 12 months old or which have had offspring;

• Elk: breeding females 24 months old or which have had offspring, and males 24 months old;

• All other deer species: breeding females 24 months old or which have had offspring, and males 24 months old; and

• Bison: breeding females 30 months old or which have had offspring, and males 30 months old.

Payments per eligible animal will be: $8 for sheep and goats; $10 for deer species; $20 for elk; and $40 for bison. These amounts represent the provincial 40 per cent share of the program payments for other ruminants.

Additional program details, as well as application forms, will be available in early January. Applications will be mailed to those producers of other ruminants who have participated in previous BSE programs. For more information, producers can call 1-877-874-5365.

"Today's announcement is a further sign of the Province's ongoing commitment to Saskatchewan producers," Wartman said. "We will continue to work together to ensure not just the survival, but the growth and success, of our livestock industry in the future."

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For More Information, Contact:

Scott Brown Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Regina Phone: (306) 787-4031